Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool calm as they announce £19m signing of Japan star Wataru Endo – and says he’s ‘REALLY happy’ despite being snubbed by £173m duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia

Liverpool have confirmed the £19million signing of Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo. 

The Reds have been keen to sign a defensive midfield option this summer after missing out on deals to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. 

Speaking to LFCTV, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: ‘I’m really happy. Wataru is a really good player. 

‘I know in this world of football how it goes and stuff like this, but have a look, have a look, because he’s a really good player.’

In his first interview with the club, he said: ‘I’m very happy right now and I’m so excited to join a big club in Liverpool.

Klopp was pictured greeting the Japan international at Liverpool’s training centre on Friday

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (left) spoke highly of the Japan international after his signing

‘It feels amazing and this is my dream. It’s always [been] a dream to play [in the] Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true for me.

Endo added: ‘It’s going to be the first time for me that I play at Anfield. I can’t wait to play at Anfield in front of Liverpool fans.

‘I play as a No.6 and I’m like a bit more [of a] defensive player. I think I can help this club defensively and I will have good organisation in the middle. I think that’s my job.

‘I am very excited to join this club and I am looking forward to seeing you at Anfield!’

Endo had less than a year remaining on his Stuttgart contract and made 133 appearances for Stuttgart since he joined the club, initially on loan, from Sint Truiden. 

The 30-year-old is well known to Liverpool sporting director Jorge Schmadtke and can also play at centre-back. He is due on Merseyside for a medical. 

The 30-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a long-term deal with the Merseyside club 

Liverpool missed out on both Moises Caicedo (L) and Romeo Lavia – who both joined Chelsea

Liverpool have had to look to alternative options after failing to sign Caicedo or Lavia – who both opted for moves to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had a bid of £111million accepted for Caicedo, but the midfielder elected to move to west London from Brighton instead. 

Klopp needed to make purchases in midfield after Fabinho joined Al-Ittihad and Jordan Henderson signed for Al-Ettifaq. 

Liverpool have brought in two creative players this summer in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai but are in need of a defensive midfielder, with Endo set to help their cause in that regard.